The ranch consists of five parcels across 549 acres. It features prime soils, and the conservation easement protects the significant irrigation water rights, including surface and groundwater. The land is used for cattle grazing, hay production, and assorted crops throughout the year, including oats and beardless barley. The landowners are a multigenerational ranching family that plans a long future of agricultural production in the San Luis Valley.
The ranch includes the active and historic floodplains of the Conejos River, offering a wealth of plant and wildlife habitat. Wet meadows, cottonwood and willow trees, and upland shrubs support a wide variety of species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Of particular note are endangered and threatened bird species, including the southwestern willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo. Additionally, habitat is provided for bald and golden eagles, ferruginous hawk, northern leopard frog, elk, mule deer, and Rio Grande chub.
Project partners include Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, Gates Family Foundation, and Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easements.